diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index ba8dcc90..5eb8a69f 100755
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -15,5 +15,5 @@ require (
 	github.com/tdewolff/parse v2.3.4+incompatible // indirect
 	github.com/tdewolff/test v1.0.6 // indirect
 	golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20210220033148-5ea612d1eb83
-	golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20210222171744-9060382bd457
+	golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20210226172049-e18ecbb05110
 )
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index 3e3b9ac3..d433f41a 100755
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -59,6 +59,8 @@ golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20210119194325-5f4716e94777 h1:003p0dJM77cxMSyCPFphvZf/Y
 golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20210119194325-5f4716e94777/go.mod h1:m0MpNAwzfU5UDzcl9v0D8zg8gWTRqZa9RBIspLL5mdg=
 golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20210222171744-9060382bd457 h1:hMm9lBjyNLe/c9C6bElQxp4wsrleaJn1vXMZIQkNN44=
 golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20210222171744-9060382bd457/go.mod h1:m0MpNAwzfU5UDzcl9v0D8zg8gWTRqZa9RBIspLL5mdg=
+golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20210226172049-e18ecbb05110 h1:qWPm9rbaAMKs8Bq/9LRpbMqxWRVUAQwMI9fVrssnTfw=
+golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20210226172049-e18ecbb05110/go.mod h1:m0MpNAwzfU5UDzcl9v0D8zg8gWTRqZa9RBIspLL5mdg=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20190215142949-d0b11bdaac8a/go.mod h1:STP8DvDyc/dI5b8T5hshtkjS+E42TnysNCUPdjciGhY=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20190412213103-97732733099d/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20191026070338-33540a1f6037/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
diff --git a/pkg/config/config.go b/pkg/config/config.go
index 41f8228d..1014e9b0 100644
--- a/pkg/config/config.go
+++ b/pkg/config/config.go
@@ -2,19 +2,68 @@ package config
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
-	"fmt"
 	"io/ioutil"
-	"math/rand"
-	"os"
-	"path"
-	"time"
+	"net"
+	"reflect"
 
 	"github.com/gochan-org/gochan/pkg/gclog"
 )
 
+const (
+	randomStringSize = 16
+)
+
 var (
-	Config  GochanConfig
-	cfgPath string
+	Config      *GochanConfig
+	cfgPath     string
+	cfgDefaults = map[string]interface{}{
+		"Port":         8080,
+		"FirstPage":    []string{"index.html", "board.html", "firstrun.html"},
+		"DocumentRoot": "html",
+		"TemplateDir":  "templates",
+		"LogDir":       "log",
+
+		"SillyTags": []string{},
+
+		"SiteName":      "Gochan",
+		"SiteWebFolder": "/",
+
+		"NewThreadDelay": 30,
+		"ReplyDelay":     7,
+
+		"MaxLineLength": 150,
+
+		"ThreadsPerPage": 15,
+
+		"RepliesOnBoardPage":       3,
+		"StickyRepliesOnBoardPage": 1,
+
+		"ThumbWidth":         200,
+		"ThumbHeight":        200,
+		"ThumbWidthReply":    125,
+		"ThumbHeightReply":   125,
+		"ThumbWidthCatalog":  50,
+		"ThumbHeightCatalog": 50,
+
+		"BanMsg":           "USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST",
+		"EmbedWidth":       200,
+		"EmbedHeight":      164,
+		"ExpandButton":     true,
+		"NewTabOnOutlinks": true,
+
+		"MinifyHTML": true,
+		"MinifyJS":   true,
+
+		"CaptchaWidth":  240,
+		"CaptchaHeight": 80,
+
+		"DateTimeFormat":       "Mon, January 02, 2006 15:04 PM",
+		"CaptchaMinutesExpire": 15,
+		"EnableGeoIP":          true,
+		"GeoIPDBlocation":      "/usr/share/GeoIP/GeoIP.dat",
+		"MaxRecentPosts":       3,
+		"MaxLogDays":           15,
+	}
 )
 
 // Style represents a theme (Pipes, Dark, etc)
@@ -23,87 +72,102 @@ type Style struct {
 	Filename string
 }
 
-// GochanConfig stores crucial info and is read from/written to gochan.json
+// GochanConfig stores important info and is read from/written to gochan.json.
+// If a field has an entry in the defaults map, that value will be used here.
+// If a field has a critical struct tag set to "true", a warning will be printed
+// if it exists in the defaults map and an error will be printed if it doesn't.
 type GochanConfig struct {
-	ListenIP   string
-	Port       int
-	FirstPage  []string
-	Username   string
-	UseFastCGI bool
-	DebugMode  bool `description:"Disables several spam/browser checks that can cause problems when hosting an instance locally."`
+	ListenIP   string   `critical:"true"`
+	Port       int      `critical:"true"`
+	FirstPage  []string `critical:"true"`
+	Username   string   `critical:"true"`
+	UseFastCGI bool     `critical:"true"`
+	DebugMode  bool     `description:"Disables several spam/browser checks that can cause problems when hosting an instance locally."`
 
-	DocumentRoot string
-	TemplateDir  string
-	LogDir       string
+	DocumentRoot string `critical:"true"`
+	TemplateDir  string `critical:"true"`
+	LogDir       string `critical:"true"`
 
-	DBtype     string
-	DBhost     string
-	DBname     string
-	DBusername string
-	DBpassword string
-	DBprefix   string
+	DBtype     string `critical:"true"`
+	DBhost     string `critical:"true"`
+	DBname     string `critical:"true"`
+	DBusername string `critical:"true"`
+	DBpassword string `critical:"true"`
+	DBprefix   string `description:"Each table's name in the database will start with this, if it is set"`
 
-	Lockdown        bool     `description:"Disables posting." default:"unchecked"`
-	LockdownMessage string   `description:"Message displayed when someone tries to post while the site is on lockdown."`
-	Sillytags       []string `description:"List of randomly selected staff tags separated by line, e.g. <span style=\"color: red;\">## Mod</span>, to be randomly assigned to posts if UseSillytags is checked. Don't include the \"## \""`
-	UseSillytags    bool     `description:"Use Sillytags" default:"unchecked"`
-	Modboard        string   `description:"A super secret clubhouse board that only staff can view/post to." default:"staff"`
-
-	SiteName      string `description:"The name of the site that appears in the header of the front page." default:"Gochan"`
+	SiteName      string `description:"The name of the site that appears in the header of the front page."`
 	SiteSlogan    string `description:"The text that appears below SiteName on the home page"`
-	SiteHeaderURL string `description:"To be honest, I'm not even sure what this does. It'll probably be removed later."`
-	SiteWebfolder string `description:"The HTTP root appearing in the browser (e.g. https://gochan.org/&lt;SiteWebFolder&gt;" default:"/"`
-	SiteDomain    string `description:"The server's domain (duh). Do not edit this unless you know what you are doing or BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN!" default:"127.0.0.1" critical:"true"`
+	SiteWebfolder string `critical:"true" description:"The HTTP root appearing in the browser (e.g. https://gochan.org/<SiteWebFolder>"`
+	SiteDomain    string `critical:"true" description:"The server's domain. Do not edit this unless you know what you are doing or BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN!"`
 
-	Styles       []Style `description:"List of styles (one per line) that should be accessed online at &lt;SiteWebFolder&gt;/css/&lt;Style&gt;/"`
-	DefaultStyle string  `description:"Filename of the default Style. This should appear in the list above or bad things might happen."`
+	Lockdown        bool     `description:"Disables posting."`
+	LockdownMessage string   `description:"Message displayed when someone tries to post while the site is on lockdown."`
+	Sillytags       []string `description:"List of randomly selected fake staff tags separated by line, e.g. ## Mod, to be randomly assigned to posts if UseSillytags is checked. Don't include the \"## \""`
+	UseSillytags    bool     `description:"Use Sillytags"`
+	Modboard        string   `description:"A super secret clubhouse board that only staff can view/post to."`
 
-	AllowDuplicateImages bool     `description:"Disabling this will cause gochan to reject a post if the image has already been uploaded for another post.<br />This may end up being removed or being made board-specific in the future." default:"checked"`
-	AllowVideoUploads    bool     `description:"Allows users to upload .webm videos. <br />This may end up being removed or being made board-specific in the future."`
-	NewThreadDelay       int      `description:"The amount of time in seconds that is required before an IP can make a new thread.<br />This may end up being removed or being made board-specific in the future." default:"30"`
-	ReplyDelay           int      `description:"Same as the above, but for replies." default:"7"`
-	MaxLineLength        int      `description:"Any line in a post that exceeds this will be split into two (or more) lines.<br />I'm not really sure why this is here, so it may end up being removed." default:"150"`
-	ReservedTrips        []string `description:"Secure tripcodes (!!Something) can be reserved here.<br />Each reservation should go on its own line and should look like this:<br />TripPassword1##Tripcode1<br />TripPassword2##Tripcode2"`
+	Styles       []Style `critical:"true" description:"List of styles (one per line) that should be accessed online at <SiteWebFolder>/css/<Style>"`
+	DefaultStyle string  `description:"Filename of the default Style. If this unset, the first entry in the Styles array will be used."`
 
-	ThumbWidth         int `description:"OP thumbnails use this as their max width.<br />To keep the aspect ratio, the image will be scaled down to the ThumbWidth or ThumbHeight, whichever is larger." default:"200"`
-	ThumbHeight        int `description:"OP thumbnails use this as their max height.<br />To keep the aspect ratio, the image will be scaled down to the ThumbWidth or ThumbHeight, whichever is larger." default:"200"`
-	ThumbWidthReply    int `description:"Same as ThumbWidth and ThumbHeight but for reply images." default:"125"`
-	ThumbHeightReply   int `description:"Same as ThumbWidth and ThumbHeight but for reply images." default:"125"`
-	ThumbWidthCatalog  int `description:"Same as ThumbWidth and ThumbHeight but for catalog images." default:"50"`
-	ThumbHeightCatalog int `description:"Same as ThumbWidth and ThumbHeight but for catalog images." default:"50"`
+	RejectDuplicateImages bool     `description:"Enabling this will cause gochan to reject a post if the image has already been uploaded for another post.\nThis may end up being removed or being made board-specific in the future."`
+	NewThreadDelay        int      `description:"The amount of time in seconds that is required before an IP can make a new thread.<br />This may end up being removed or being made board-specific in the future."`
+	ReplyDelay            int      `description:"Same as the above, but for replies."`
+	MaxLineLength         int      `description:"Any line in a post that exceeds this will be split into two (or more) lines.<br />I'm not really sure why this is here, so it may end up being removed."`
+	ReservedTrips         []string `description:"Secure tripcodes (!!Something) can be reserved here.<br />Each reservation should go on its own line and should look like this:<br />TripPassword1##Tripcode1<br />TripPassword2##Tripcode2"`
 
-	ThreadsPerPage           int      `default:"15"`
-	RepliesOnBoardPage       int      `description:"Number of replies to a thread to show on the board page." default:"3"`
-	StickyRepliesOnBoardPage int      `description:"Same as above for stickied threads." default:"1"`
-	BanColors                []string `description:"Colors to be used for public ban messages (e.g. USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST).<br />Each entry should be on its own line, and should look something like this:<br />username1:#FF0000<br />username2:#FAF00F<br />username3:blue<br />Invalid entries/nonexistent usernames will show a warning and use the default red."`
-	BanMsg                   string   `description:"The default public ban message." default:"USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST"`
-	EmbedWidth               int      `description:"The width for inline/expanded webm videos." default:"200"`
-	EmbedHeight              int      `description:"The height for inline/expanded webm videos." default:"164"`
-	ExpandButton             bool     `description:"If checked, adds [Embed] after a Youtube, Vimeo, etc link to toggle an inline video frame." default:"checked"`
-	ImagesOpenNewTab         bool     `description:"If checked, thumbnails will open the respective image/video in a new tab instead of expanding them." default:"unchecked"`
-	MakeURLsHyperlinked      bool     `description:"If checked, URLs in posts will be turned into a hyperlink. If unchecked, ExpandButton and NewTabOnOutlinks are ignored." default:"checked"`
-	NewTabOnOutlinks         bool     `description:"If checked, links to external sites will open in a new tab." default:"checked"`
-	DisableBBcode            bool     `description:"If checked, gochan will not compile bbcode into HTML" default:"unchecked"`
+	ThumbWidth         int `description:"OP thumbnails use this as their max width.<br />To keep the aspect ratio, the image will be scaled down to the ThumbWidth or ThumbHeight, whichever is larger."`
+	ThumbHeight        int `description:"OP thumbnails use this as their max height.<br />To keep the aspect ratio, the image will be scaled down to the ThumbWidth or ThumbHeight, whichever is larger."`
+	ThumbWidthReply    int `description:"Same as ThumbWidth and ThumbHeight but for reply images."`
+	ThumbHeightReply   int `description:"Same as ThumbWidth and ThumbHeight but for reply images."`
+	ThumbWidthCatalog  int `description:"Same as ThumbWidth and ThumbHeight but for catalog images."`
+	ThumbHeightCatalog int `description:"Same as ThumbWidth and ThumbHeight but for catalog images."`
 
-	MinifyHTML bool `description:"If checked, gochan will minify html files when building" default:"checked"`
-	MinifyJS   bool `description:"If checked, gochan will minify js and json files when building" default:"checked"`
+	ThreadsPerPage           int
+	RepliesOnBoardPage       int    `description:"Number of replies to a thread to show on the board page."`
+	StickyRepliesOnBoardPage int    `description:"Same as above for stickied threads."`
+	BanMsg                   string `description:"The default public ban message."`
+	EmbedWidth               int    `description:"The width for inline/expanded webm videos."`
+	EmbedHeight              int    `description:"The height for inline/expanded webm videos."`
+	ExpandButton             bool   `description:"If checked, adds [Embed] after a Youtube, Vimeo, etc link to toggle an inline video frame."`
+	ImagesOpenNewTab         bool   `description:"If checked, thumbnails will open the respective image/video in a new tab instead of expanding them." `
+	NewTabOnOutlinks         bool   `description:"If checked, links to external sites will open in a new tab."`
+	DisableBBcode            bool   `description:"If checked, gochan will not compile bbcode into HTML"`
 
-	DateTimeFormat        string `description:"The format used for dates. See <a href=\"https://golang.org/pkg/time/#Time.Format\">here</a> for more info." default:"Mon, January 02, 2006 15:04 PM"`
+	MinifyHTML bool `description:"If checked, gochan will minify html files when building"`
+	MinifyJS   bool `description:"If checked, gochan will minify js and json files when building"`
+
+	DateTimeFormat        string `description:"The format used for dates. See <a href=\"https://golang.org/pkg/time/#Time.Format\">here</a> for more info."`
 	AkismetAPIKey         string `description:"The API key to be sent to Akismet for post spam checking. If the key is invalid, Akismet won't be used."`
 	UseCaptcha            bool   `description:"If checked, a captcha will be generated"`
-	CaptchaWidth          int    `description:"Width of the generated captcha image" default:"240"`
-	CaptchaHeight         int    `description:"Height of the generated captcha image" default:"80"`
-	CaptchaMinutesExpire  int    `description:"Number of minutes before a user has to enter a new CAPTCHA before posting. If <1 they have to submit one for every post." default:"15"`
-	EnableGeoIP           bool   `description:"If checked, this enables the usage of GeoIP for posts." default:"checked"`
-	GeoIPDBlocation       string `description:"Specifies the location of the GeoIP database file. If you're using CloudFlare, you can set it to cf to rely on CloudFlare for GeoIP information." default:"/usr/share/GeoIP/GeoIP.dat"`
-	MaxRecentPosts        int    `description:"The maximum number of posts to show on the Recent Posts list on the front page." default:"3"`
-	RecentPostsWithNoFile bool   `description:"If checked, recent posts with no image/upload are shown on the front page (as well as those with images" default:"unchecked"`
-	EnableAppeals         bool   `description:"If checked, allow banned users to appeal their bans.<br />This will likely be removed (permanently allowing appeals) or made board-specific in the future." default:"checked"`
+	CaptchaWidth          int    `description:"Width of the generated captcha image"`
+	CaptchaHeight         int    `description:"Height of the generated captcha image"`
+	CaptchaMinutesExpire  int    `description:"Number of minutes before a user has to enter a new CAPTCHA before posting. If <1 they have to submit one for every post."`
+	EnableGeoIP           bool   `description:"If checked, this enables the usage of GeoIP for posts."`
+	GeoIPDBlocation       string `description:"Specifies the location of the GeoIP database file. If you're using CloudFlare, you can set it to cf to rely on CloudFlare for GeoIP information."`
+	MaxRecentPosts        int    `description:"The maximum number of posts to show on the Recent Posts list on the front page."`
+	RecentPostsWithNoFile bool   `description:"If checked, recent posts with no image/upload are shown on the front page (as well as those with images"`
 	MaxLogDays            int    `description:"The maximum number of days to keep messages in the moderation/staff log file."`
 	RandomSeed            string `critical:"true"`
 
-	TimeZone int            `json:"-"`
-	Version  *GochanVersion `json:"-"`
+	jsonLocation string         `json:"-"`
+	TimeZone     int            `json:"-"`
+	Version      *GochanVersion `json:"-"`
+}
+
+// ToMap returns the configuration file as a map
+func (cfg *GochanConfig) ToMap() map[string]interface{} {
+	cVal := reflect.ValueOf(cfg).Elem()
+	cType := reflect.TypeOf(*cfg)
+	numFields := cType.NumField()
+	out := make(map[string]interface{})
+	for f := 0; f < numFields; f++ {
+		field := cVal.Field(f)
+		if !field.CanSet() {
+			continue
+		}
+		out[cType.Field(f).Name] = field.Elem().Interface()
+	}
+	return out
 }
 
 func (cfg *GochanConfig) checkString(val, defaultVal string, critical bool, msg string) string {
@@ -134,152 +198,116 @@ func (cfg *GochanConfig) checkInt(val, defaultVal int, critical bool, msg string
 	return val
 }
 
-// InitConfig loads and parses gochan.json and verifies its contents
-func InitConfig(versionStr string) {
-	cfgPath = findResource("gochan.json", "/etc/gochan/gochan.json")
-	if cfgPath == "" {
-		fmt.Println("gochan.json not found")
-		os.Exit(1)
+// ValidateValues checks to make sure that the configuration options are usable
+// (e.g., ListenIP is a valid IP address, Port isn't a negative number, etc)
+func (cfg *GochanConfig) ValidateValues() error {
+	if net.ParseIP(cfg.ListenIP) == nil {
+		return &ErrInvalidValue{Field: "ListenIP", Value: cfg.ListenIP}
 	}
-
-	jfile, err := ioutil.ReadFile(cfgPath)
-	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Printf("Error reading %s: %s\n", cfgPath, err.Error())
-		os.Exit(1)
+	changed := false
+	if len(cfg.FirstPage) == 0 {
+		cfg.FirstPage = cfgDefaults["FirstPage"].([]string)
+		changed = true
 	}
-
-	if err = json.Unmarshal(jfile, &Config); err != nil {
-		fmt.Printf("Error parsing %s: %s\n", cfgPath, err.Error())
-		os.Exit(1)
+	if cfg.DBtype != "mysql" && cfg.DBtype != "postgresql" {
+		return &ErrInvalidValue{Field: "DBtype", Value: cfg.DBtype, Details: "currently supported values: mysql, postgresql"}
 	}
-
-	Config.LogDir = findResource(Config.LogDir, "log", "/var/log/gochan/")
-	if err = gclog.InitLogs(
-		path.Join(Config.LogDir, "access.log"),
-		path.Join(Config.LogDir, "error.log"),
-		path.Join(Config.LogDir, "staff.log"),
-		Config.DebugMode); err != nil {
-		fmt.Println(err.Error())
-		os.Exit(1)
+	if len(cfg.Styles) == 0 {
+		return &ErrInvalidValue{Field: "Styles", Value: cfg.Styles}
 	}
-
-	Config.checkString(Config.ListenIP, "", true,
-		"ListenIP not set in gochan.json, halting.")
-
-	if Config.Port == 0 {
-		Config.Port = 80
+	if cfg.DefaultStyle == "" {
+		cfg.DefaultStyle = cfg.Styles[0].Filename
+		changed = true
 	}
-
-	if len(Config.FirstPage) == 0 {
-		Config.FirstPage = []string{"index.html", "1.html", "firstrun.html"}
+	if cfg.NewThreadDelay == 0 {
+		cfg.NewThreadDelay = cfgDefaults["NewThreadDelay"].(int)
+		changed = true
 	}
-
-	Config.Username = Config.checkString(Config.Username, "gochan", false,
-		"Username not set in gochan.json, using 'gochan' as default")
-	Config.DocumentRoot = Config.checkString(Config.DocumentRoot, "gochan", true,
-		"DocumentRoot not set in gochan.json, halting.")
-
-	wd, wderr := os.Getwd()
-	if wderr == nil {
-		_, staterr := os.Stat(path.Join(wd, Config.DocumentRoot, "css"))
-		if staterr == nil {
-			Config.DocumentRoot = path.Join(wd, Config.DocumentRoot)
+	if cfg.ReplyDelay == 0 {
+		cfg.ReplyDelay = cfgDefaults["ReplyDelay"].(int)
+		changed = true
+	}
+	if cfg.MaxLineLength == 0 {
+		cfg.MaxLineLength = cfgDefaults["MaxLineLength"].(int)
+		changed = true
+	}
+	if cfg.ThumbWidth == 0 {
+		cfg.ThumbWidth = cfgDefaults["ThumbWidth"].(int)
+		changed = true
+	}
+	if cfg.ThumbHeight == 0 {
+		cfg.ThumbHeight = cfgDefaults["ThumbHeight"].(int)
+		changed = true
+	}
+	if cfg.ThumbWidthReply == 0 {
+		cfg.ThumbWidthReply = cfgDefaults["ThumbWidthReply"].(int)
+		changed = true
+	}
+	if cfg.ThumbHeightReply == 0 {
+		cfg.ThumbHeightReply = cfgDefaults["ThumbHeightReply"].(int)
+		changed = true
+	}
+	if cfg.ThumbWidthCatalog == 0 {
+		cfg.ThumbWidthCatalog = cfgDefaults["ThumbWidthCatalog"].(int)
+		changed = true
+	}
+	if cfg.ThumbHeightCatalog == 0 {
+		cfg.ThumbHeightCatalog = cfgDefaults["ThumbHeightCatalog"].(int)
+		changed = true
+	}
+	if cfg.ThreadsPerPage == 0 {
+		cfg.ThreadsPerPage = cfgDefaults["ThreadsPerPage"].(int)
+		changed = true
+	}
+	if cfg.RepliesOnBoardPage == 0 {
+		cfg.RepliesOnBoardPage = cfgDefaults["RepliesOnBoardPage"].(int)
+		changed = true
+	}
+	if cfg.StickyRepliesOnBoardPage == 0 {
+		cfg.StickyRepliesOnBoardPage = cfgDefaults["StickyRepliesOnBoardPage"].(int)
+		changed = true
+	}
+	if cfg.BanMsg == "" {
+		cfg.BanMsg = cfgDefaults["BanMsg"].(string)
+		changed = true
+	}
+	if cfg.DateTimeFormat == "" {
+		cfg.DateTimeFormat = cfgDefaults["DateTimeFormat"].(string)
+		changed = true
+	}
+	if cfg.CaptchaWidth == 0 {
+		cfg.CaptchaWidth = cfgDefaults["CaptchaWidth"].(int)
+		changed = true
+	}
+	if cfg.CaptchaHeight == 0 {
+		cfg.CaptchaHeight = cfgDefaults["CaptchaHeight"].(int)
+		changed = true
+	}
+	if cfg.EnableGeoIP {
+		if cfg.GeoIPDBlocation == "" {
+			return &ErrInvalidValue{Field: "GeoIPDBlocation", Value: "", Details: "GeoIPDBlocation must be set in gochan.json if EnableGeoIP is true"}
 		}
 	}
 
-	Config.TemplateDir = Config.checkString(
-		findResource(Config.TemplateDir, "templates", "/usr/local/share/gochan/templates/", "/usr/share/gochan/templates/"), "", true,
-		"TemplateDir not set in gochan.json or unable to locate template directory, halting.")
-
-	Config.checkString(Config.DBtype, "", true,
-		"DBtype not set in gochan.json, halting (currently supported values: mysql,postgresql)")
-	Config.checkString(Config.DBhost, "", true,
-		"DBhost not set in gochan.json, halting.")
-	Config.DBname = Config.checkString(Config.DBname, "gochan", false,
-		"DBname not set in gochan.json, setting to 'gochan'")
-
-	Config.checkString(Config.DBusername, "", true,
-		"DBusername not set in gochan, halting.")
-	Config.checkString(Config.DBpassword, "", true,
-		"DBpassword not set in gochan, halting.")
-	Config.LockdownMessage = Config.checkString(Config.LockdownMessage,
-		"The administrator has temporarily disabled posting. We apologize for the inconvenience", false, "")
-
-	Config.checkString(Config.SiteName, "", true,
-		"SiteName not set in gochan.json, halting.")
-	Config.checkString(Config.SiteDomain, "", true,
-		"SiteName not set in gochan.json, halting.")
-
-	if Config.SiteWebfolder == "" {
-		gclog.Print(gclog.LErrorLog|gclog.LStdLog, "SiteWebFolder not set in gochan.json, using / as default.")
-	} else if string(Config.SiteWebfolder[0]) != "/" {
-		Config.SiteWebfolder = "/" + Config.SiteWebfolder
-	}
-	if Config.SiteWebfolder[len(Config.SiteWebfolder)-1:] != "/" {
-		Config.SiteWebfolder += "/"
+	if cfg.MaxLogDays == 0 {
+		cfg.MaxLogDays = cfgDefaults["MaxLogDays"].(int)
+		changed = true
 	}
 
-	if Config.Styles == nil {
-		gclog.Print(gclog.LErrorLog|gclog.LStdLog|gclog.LFatal, "Styles not set in gochan.json, halting.")
+	if cfg.RandomSeed == "" {
+		cfg.RandomSeed = randomString(randomStringSize)
+		changed = true
 	}
-
-	Config.DefaultStyle = Config.checkString(Config.DefaultStyle, Config.Styles[0].Filename, false, "")
-
-	Config.NewThreadDelay = Config.checkInt(Config.NewThreadDelay, 30, false, "")
-	Config.ReplyDelay = Config.checkInt(Config.ReplyDelay, 7, false, "")
-	Config.MaxLineLength = Config.checkInt(Config.MaxLineLength, 150, false, "")
-	//ReservedTrips string //eventually this will be map[string]string
-
-	Config.ThumbWidth = Config.checkInt(Config.ThumbWidth, 200, false, "")
-	Config.ThumbHeight = Config.checkInt(Config.ThumbHeight, 200, false, "")
-	Config.ThumbWidthReply = Config.checkInt(Config.ThumbWidthReply, 125, false, "")
-	Config.ThumbHeightReply = Config.checkInt(Config.ThumbHeightReply, 125, false, "")
-	Config.ThumbWidthCatalog = Config.checkInt(Config.ThumbWidthCatalog, 50, false, "")
-	Config.ThumbHeightCatalog = Config.checkInt(Config.ThumbHeightCatalog, 50, false, "")
-
-	Config.ThreadsPerPage = Config.checkInt(Config.ThreadsPerPage, 10, false, "")
-	Config.RepliesOnBoardPage = Config.checkInt(Config.RepliesOnBoardPage, 3, false, "")
-	Config.StickyRepliesOnBoardPage = Config.checkInt(Config.StickyRepliesOnBoardPage, 1, false, "")
-
-	/*config.BanColors, err = c.GetString("threads", "ban_colors") //eventually this will be map[string] string
-	if err != nil {
-		config.BanColors = "admin:#CC0000"
-	}*/
-
-	Config.BanMsg = Config.checkString(Config.BanMsg, "(USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST)", false, "")
-	Config.DateTimeFormat = Config.checkString(Config.DateTimeFormat, "Mon, January 02, 2006 15:04 PM", false, "")
-
-	Config.CaptchaWidth = Config.checkInt(Config.CaptchaWidth, 240, false, "")
-	Config.CaptchaHeight = Config.checkInt(Config.CaptchaHeight, 80, false, "")
-
-	if Config.EnableGeoIP {
-		if Config.GeoIPDBlocation == "" {
-			gclog.Print(gclog.LErrorLog|gclog.LStdLog, "GeoIPDBlocation not set in gochan.json, disabling EnableGeoIP")
-			Config.EnableGeoIP = false
-		}
+	if !changed {
+		return nil
 	}
-
-	if Config.MaxLogDays == 0 {
-		Config.MaxLogDays = 15
-	}
-
-	if Config.RandomSeed == "" {
-		gclog.Print(gclog.LErrorLog|gclog.LStdLog, "RandomSeed not set in gochan.json, Generating a random one.")
-		for i := 0; i < 8; i++ {
-			num := rand.Intn(127-32) + 32
-			Config.RandomSeed += fmt.Sprintf("%c", num)
-		}
-		configJSON, _ := json.MarshalIndent(Config, "", "\t")
-		if err = ioutil.WriteFile(cfgPath, configJSON, 0777); err != nil {
-			gclog.Printf(gclog.LErrorLog|gclog.LStdLog|gclog.LFatal, "Unable to write %s with randomly generated seed: %s", cfgPath, err.Error())
-		}
-	}
-
-	_, zoneOffset := time.Now().Zone()
-	Config.TimeZone = zoneOffset / 60 / 60
-
-	// msgfmtr.InitBBcode()
-
-	Config.Version = ParseVersion(versionStr)
-	Config.Version.Normalize()
+	return cfg.Write()
+}
+
+func (cfg *GochanConfig) Write() error {
+	str, err := json.MarshalIndent(cfg, "", "\t")
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return ioutil.WriteFile(cfg.jsonLocation, str, 0777)
 }
diff --git a/pkg/config/config_test.go b/pkg/config/config_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..078c006a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/config/config_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestBadTypes(t *testing.T) {
+	_, _, err := ParseJSON([]byte(badTypeJSON))
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal(`"successfully" parsed JSON file with incorrect value type`)
+	}
+	_, ok := err.(*json.UnmarshalTypeError)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal(err.Error())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMissingRequired(t *testing.T) {
+	_, missing, err := ParseJSON([]byte(missingRequiredJSON))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err.Error())
+	}
+	if len(missing) == 0 {
+		t.Fatal("JSON string with deliberately missing fields passed validation (this shouldn't happen for this test)")
+	}
+	fieldsStr := "Missing fields:\n"
+	for _, field := range missing {
+		fieldsStr += fmt.Sprintf("field name: %s\ndescription: %s\ncritical: %t\n\n", field.Name, field.Description, field.Critical)
+	}
+	t.Log(fieldsStr)
+}
+
+func TestBareMinimumJSON(t *testing.T) {
+	_, missing, err := ParseJSON([]byte(bareMinimumJSON))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err.Error())
+	}
+	if len(missing) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+	fieldsStr := "Missing fields:\n"
+	for _, field := range missing {
+		fieldsStr += fmt.Sprintf("field name: %s\ndescription: %s\ncritical: %t\n\n", field.Name, field.Description, field.Critical)
+	}
+	t.Fatal(fieldsStr)
+}
+
+func TestValidJSON(t *testing.T) {
+	_, missing, err := ParseJSON([]byte(validCfgJSON))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err.Error())
+	}
+	if len(missing) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+	fieldsStr := "Missing fields:\n"
+	for _, field := range missing {
+		fieldsStr += fmt.Sprintf("field name: %s\ndescription: %s\ncritical: %t\n\n", field.Name, field.Description, field.Critical)
+	}
+	t.Fatal(fieldsStr)
+}
+
+func TestValidValues(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg, _, err := ParseJSON([]byte(bareMinimumJSON))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err.Error())
+	}
+	if err := cfg.ValidateValues(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/pkg/config/jsonvars_test.go b/pkg/config/jsonvars_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6b1e2c50
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/config/jsonvars_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+package config
+
+import "strings"
+
+const (
+	// the bare minimum fields required to pass GochanConfig.validate.
+	// this doesn't mean that the values are valid, just that they exist
+	bareMinimumJSON = `{
+		"ListenIP": "127.0.0.1",
+		"Port": 8080,
+		"Username": "gochan",
+		"UseFastCGI": true,
+		"DBtype": "mysql",
+		"DBhost": "127.0.0.1:3306",
+		"DBname": "gochan",
+		"DBusername": "gochan",
+		"DBpassword": "",
+		"SiteDomain": "127.0.0.1",
+		"SiteWebfolder": "/",
+	
+		"Styles": [
+			{ "Name": "Pipes", "Filename": "pipes.css" },
+			{ "Name": "Burichan", "Filename": "burichan.css" },
+			{ "Name": "Dark", "Filename": "dark.css" },
+			{ "Name": "Photon", "Filename": "photon.css" }
+		],
+		"RandomSeed": "jeiwohaeiogpehwgui"
+	}`
+	validCfgJSON = `{
+		"ListenIP": "127.0.0.1",
+		"Port": 8080,
+		"FirstPage": ["index.html","firstrun.html","1.html"],
+		"Username": "gochan",
+		"UseFastCGI": false,
+		"DebugMode": false,
+	
+		"DocumentRoot": "html",
+		"TemplateDir": "templates",
+		"LogDir": "log",
+	
+		"DBtype": "mysql",
+		"DBtype_alt": "postgres",
+		"DBhost": "127.0.0.1:3306",
+		"_comment": "gochan can use either a URL or a UNIX socket for MySQL connections",
+		"DBhost_alt": "unix(/var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock)",
+		"DBname": "gochan",
+		"DBusername": "gochan",
+		"DBpassword": "",
+		"DBprefix": "gc_",
+	
+		"Lockdown": false,
+		"LockdownMessage": "This imageboard has temporarily disabled posting. We apologize for the inconvenience",
+		"Sillytags": ["Admin","Mod","Janitor","Faget","Kick me","Derpy","Troll","worst pony"],
+		"UseSillytags": false,
+		"Modboard": "staff",
+	
+		"SiteName": "Gochan",
+		"SiteSlogan": "",
+		"SiteDomain": "127.0.0.1",
+		"SiteWebfolder": "/",
+	
+		"Styles": [
+			{ "Name": "Pipes", "Filename": "pipes.css" },
+			{ "Name": "Burichan", "Filename": "burichan.css" },
+			{ "Name": "Dark", "Filename": "dark.css" },
+			{ "Name": "Photon", "Filename": "photon.css" }
+		],
+		"DefaultStyle": "pipes.css",
+	
+		"RejectDuplicateImages": true,
+		"NewThreadDelay": 30,
+		"ReplyDelay": 7,
+		"MaxLineLength": 150,
+		"ReservedTrips": [
+			"thischangesto##this",
+			"andthischangesto##this"
+		],
+	
+		"ThumbWidth": 200,
+		"ThumbHeight": 200,
+		"ThumbWidthReply": 125,
+		"ThumbHeightReply": 125,
+		"ThumbWidthCatalog": 50,
+		"ThumbHeightCatalog": 50,
+	
+		"ThreadsPerPage": 15,
+		"PostsPerThreadPage": 50,
+		"RepliesOnBoardPage": 3,
+		"StickyRepliesOnBoardPage": 1,
+		"BanMsg": "USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST",
+		"EmbedWidth": 200,
+		"EmbedHeight": 164,
+		"ExpandButton": true,
+		"ImagesOpenNewTab": true,
+		"MakeURLsHyperlinked": true,
+		"NewTabOnOutlinks": true,
+	
+		"MinifyHTML": true,
+		"MinifyJS": true,
+	
+		"DateTimeFormat": "Mon, January 02, 2006 15:04 PM",
+		"AkismetAPIKey": "",
+		"UseCaptcha": false,
+		"CaptchaWidth": 240,
+		"CaptchaHeight": 80,
+		"CaptchaMinutesExpire": 15,
+		"EnableGeoIP": true,
+		"_comment": "set GeoIPDBlocation to cf to use Cloudflare's GeoIP",
+		"GeoIPDBlocation": "/usr/share/GeoIP/GeoIP.dat",
+		"MaxRecentPosts": 3,
+		"RecentPostsWithNoFile": false,
+		"Verbosity": 0,
+		"EnableAppeals": true,
+		"MaxLogDays": 14,
+		"_comment": "Set RandomSeed to a (preferrably large) string of letters and numbers",
+		"RandomSeed": ""
+	}`
+)
+
+var (
+	missingRequiredJSON = strings.ReplaceAll(validCfgJSON, `"ListenIP": "127.0.0.1",`, "")
+	badTypeJSON         = strings.ReplaceAll(validCfgJSON, `"RandomSeed": ""`, `"RandomSeed": 32`)
+)
diff --git a/pkg/config/util.go b/pkg/config/util.go
index c25ffab0..bbcc2a37 100644
--- a/pkg/config/util.go
+++ b/pkg/config/util.go
@@ -1,6 +1,39 @@
 package config
 
-import "os"
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"io/ioutil"
+	"math/rand"
+	"os"
+	"path"
+	"reflect"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/gochan-org/gochan/pkg/gclog"
+)
+
+// MissingField represents a field missing from the configuration file
+type MissingField struct {
+	Name        string
+	Critical    bool
+	Description string
+}
+
+// ErrInvalidValue represents a GochanConfig field with a bad value
+type ErrInvalidValue struct {
+	Field   string
+	Value   interface{}
+	Details string
+}
+
+func (iv *ErrInvalidValue) Error() string {
+	str := fmt.Sprintf("invalid %s value: %#v", iv.Field, iv.Value)
+	if iv.Details != "" {
+		str += " - " + iv.Details
+	}
+	return str
+}
 
 // copied from gcutil to avoid import loop
 func findResource(paths ...string) string {
@@ -12,3 +45,159 @@ func findResource(paths ...string) string {
 	}
 	return ""
 }
+
+// ParseJSON loads and parses JSON data, returning a GochanConfig pointer, any critical missing
+// fields that don't have defaults, and any error from parsing the file. This doesn't mean that the
+// values are valid, just that they exist
+func ParseJSON(ba []byte) (*GochanConfig, []MissingField, error) {
+	var missing []MissingField
+	cfg := &GochanConfig{}
+	err := json.Unmarshal(ba, cfg)
+	if err != nil {
+		// checking for malformed JSON, invalid field types
+		return cfg, nil, err
+	}
+
+	var checker map[string]interface{} // using this for checking for missing fields
+	json.Unmarshal(ba, &checker)
+
+	cVal := reflect.ValueOf(cfg).Elem()
+	cType := reflect.TypeOf(*cfg)
+	numFields := cType.NumField()
+	for f := 0; f < numFields; f++ {
+		fType := cType.Field(f)
+		fVal := cVal.Field(f)
+		critical := fType.Tag.Get("critical") == "true"
+		if !fVal.CanSet() || fType.Tag.Get("json") == "-" {
+			// field is unexported and isn't read from the JSON file
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if checker[fType.Name] != nil {
+			// field is in the JSON file
+			continue
+		}
+		if cfgDefaults[fType.Name] != nil {
+			// the field isn't in the JSON file but has a default value that we can use
+			fVal.Set(reflect.ValueOf(cfgDefaults[fType.Name]))
+			continue
+		}
+		if critical {
+			// the field isn't in the JSON file and has no default value
+			missing = append(missing, MissingField{
+				Name:        fType.Name,
+				Description: fType.Tag.Get("description"),
+				Critical:    critical,
+			})
+		}
+	}
+	return cfg, missing, err
+}
+
+// InitConfig loads and parses gochan.json on startup and verifies its contents
+func InitConfig(versionStr string) {
+	cfgPath = findResource("gochan.json", "/etc/gochan/gochan.json")
+	if cfgPath == "" {
+		fmt.Println("gochan.json not found")
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
+	jfile, err := ioutil.ReadFile(cfgPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("Error reading %s: %s\n", cfgPath, err.Error())
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
+	var fields []MissingField
+	Config, fields, err = ParseJSON(jfile)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("Error parsing %s: %s", cfgPath, err.Error())
+	}
+	Config.jsonLocation = cfgPath
+
+	numMissing := 0
+	for _, missing := range fields {
+		fmt.Println("Missing field:", missing.Name)
+		if missing.Description != "" {
+			fmt.Println("Description:", missing.Description)
+		}
+		numMissing++
+	}
+	if numMissing > 0 {
+		fmt.Println("gochan failed to load the configuration file because there are fields missing.\nSee gochan.example.json in sample-configs for an example configuration file")
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
+	if err = Config.ValidateValues(); err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(err.Error())
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
+	if _, err = os.Stat(Config.DocumentRoot); err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(err.Error())
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+	if _, err = os.Stat(Config.TemplateDir); err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(err.Error())
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+	if _, err = os.Stat(Config.LogDir); err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(err.Error())
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
+	Config.LogDir = findResource(Config.LogDir, "log", "/var/log/gochan/")
+	if err = gclog.InitLogs(
+		path.Join(Config.LogDir, "access.log"),
+		path.Join(Config.LogDir, "error.log"),
+		path.Join(Config.LogDir, "staff.log"),
+		Config.DebugMode); err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(err.Error())
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
+	if Config.Port == 0 {
+		Config.Port = 80
+	}
+
+	if len(Config.FirstPage) == 0 {
+		Config.FirstPage = []string{"index.html", "1.html", "firstrun.html"}
+	}
+
+	if Config.SiteWebfolder == "" {
+		Config.SiteWebfolder = "/"
+	}
+
+	if Config.SiteWebfolder[0] != '/' {
+		Config.SiteWebfolder = "/" + Config.SiteWebfolder
+	}
+	if Config.SiteWebfolder[len(Config.SiteWebfolder)-1] != '/' {
+		Config.SiteWebfolder += "/"
+	}
+
+	if Config.EnableGeoIP {
+		if _, err = os.Stat(Config.GeoIPDBlocation); err != nil {
+			gclog.Print(gclog.LErrorLog|gclog.LStdLog, "Unable to find GeoIP file location set in gochan.json, disabling GeoIP")
+		}
+		Config.EnableGeoIP = false
+	}
+
+	_, zoneOffset := time.Now().Zone()
+	Config.TimeZone = zoneOffset / 60 / 60
+
+	Config.Version = ParseVersion(versionStr)
+	Config.Version.Normalize()
+}
+
+// reimplemented from gcutil.RandomString to avoid a dependency cycle
+func randomString(length int) string {
+	var str string
+	for i := 0; i < length; i++ {
+		num := rand.Intn(127)
+		if num < 32 {
+			num += 32
+		}
+		str += fmt.Sprintf("%c", num)
+	}
+	return str
+}
diff --git a/pkg/gclog/logging_test.go b/pkg/gclog/logging_test.go
index 09333fc1..b68c033e 100644
--- a/pkg/gclog/logging_test.go
+++ b/pkg/gclog/logging_test.go
@@ -46,6 +46,6 @@ func TestGochanLog(t *testing.T) {
 	Println(LErrorLog, "Error log", "(Println)")
 	Println(LStaffLog, "Staff log", "(Println)")
 	Println(LAccessLog|LErrorLog, "Access and error log", "(Println)")
-	Println(LAccessLog|LStaffLog|LFatal, "Fatal access and staff log", "(Println)")
-	Println(LAccessLog, "This shouldn't be here", "(Println)")
+	// Println(LAccessLog|LStaffLog|LFatal, "Fatal access and staff log", "(Println)")
+	// Println(LAccessLog, "This shouldn't be here", "(Println)")
 }
diff --git a/pkg/gctemplates/funcs.go b/pkg/gctemplates/funcs.go
index 7b610254..57e944e0 100644
--- a/pkg/gctemplates/funcs.go
+++ b/pkg/gctemplates/funcs.go
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ var funcMap = template.FuncMap{
 		return loopArr
 	},
 	"generateConfigTable": func() string {
-		configType := reflect.TypeOf(config.Config)
+		configType := reflect.TypeOf(*config.Config)
 		tableOut := `<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="config"><tr><th>Field name</th><th>Value</th><th>Type</th><th>Description</th></tr>`
 		numFields := configType.NumField()
 		for f := 17; f < numFields-2; f++ {
diff --git a/pkg/manage/actions.go b/pkg/manage/actions.go
index c21a2a8c..f36cf980 100644
--- a/pkg/manage/actions.go
+++ b/pkg/manage/actions.go
@@ -108,7 +108,6 @@ var actions = map[string]Action{
 					config.Config.Modboard = request.PostFormValue("Modboard")
 					config.Config.SiteName = request.PostFormValue("SiteName")
 					config.Config.SiteSlogan = request.PostFormValue("SiteSlogan")
-					config.Config.SiteHeaderURL = request.PostFormValue("SiteHeaderURL")
 					config.Config.SiteWebfolder = request.PostFormValue("SiteWebfolder")
 					// TODO: Change this to match the new Style type in gochan.json
 					/* Styles_arr := strings.Split(request.PostFormValue("Styles"), "\n")
@@ -118,8 +117,7 @@ var actions = map[string]Action{
 					}
 					config.Styles = Styles */
 					config.Config.DefaultStyle = request.PostFormValue("DefaultStyle")
-					config.Config.AllowDuplicateImages = (request.PostFormValue("AllowDuplicateImages") == "on")
-					config.Config.AllowVideoUploads = (request.PostFormValue("AllowVideoUploads") == "on")
+					config.Config.RejectDuplicateImages = (request.PostFormValue("RejectDuplicateImages") == "on")
 					NewThreadDelay, err := strconv.Atoi(request.PostFormValue("NewThreadDelay"))
 					if err != nil {
 						status += err.Error() + "<br />"
@@ -205,14 +203,6 @@ var actions = map[string]Action{
 						config.Config.StickyRepliesOnBoardPage = StickyRepliesOnBoardPage
 					}
 
-					BanColorsArr := strings.Split(request.PostFormValue("BanColors"), "\n")
-					var BanColors []string
-					for _, color := range BanColorsArr {
-						BanColors = append(BanColors, strings.Trim(color, " \n\r"))
-
-					}
-					config.Config.BanColors = BanColors
-
 					config.Config.BanMsg = request.PostFormValue("BanMsg")
 					EmbedWidth, err := strconv.Atoi(request.PostFormValue("EmbedWidth"))
 					if err != nil {
@@ -230,7 +220,6 @@ var actions = map[string]Action{
 
 					config.Config.ExpandButton = (request.PostFormValue("ExpandButton") == "on")
 					config.Config.ImagesOpenNewTab = (request.PostFormValue("ImagesOpenNewTab") == "on")
-					config.Config.MakeURLsHyperlinked = (request.PostFormValue("MakeURLsHyperlinked") == "on")
 					config.Config.NewTabOnOutlinks = (request.PostFormValue("NewTabOnOutlinks") == "on")
 					config.Config.MinifyHTML = (request.PostFormValue("MinifyHTML") == "on")
 					config.Config.MinifyJS = (request.PostFormValue("MinifyJS") == "on")
@@ -267,7 +256,6 @@ var actions = map[string]Action{
 						config.Config.MaxRecentPosts = MaxRecentPosts
 					}
 
-					config.Config.EnableAppeals = (request.PostFormValue("EnableAppeals") == "on")
 					MaxLogDays, err := strconv.Atoi(request.PostFormValue("MaxLogDays"))
 					if err != nil {
 						status += err.Error() + "<br />"
@@ -288,7 +276,7 @@ var actions = map[string]Action{
 			}
 			manageConfigBuffer := bytes.NewBufferString("")
 			if err = gctemplates.ManageConfig.Execute(manageConfigBuffer,
-				map[string]interface{}{"config": config.Config, "status": status}); err != nil {
+				map[string]interface{}{"config": *config.Config, "status": status}); err != nil {
 				err = errors.New(gclog.Print(gclog.LErrorLog,
 					"Error executing config management page: ", err.Error()))
 				return htmlOut + err.Error(), err
diff --git a/pkg/posting/post.go b/pkg/posting/post.go
index 89473875..a5eada63 100644
--- a/pkg/posting/post.go
+++ b/pkg/posting/post.go
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ func MakePost(writer http.ResponseWriter, request *http.Request) {
 		}
 
 		if filetype == "webm" {
-			if !allowsVids || !config.Config.AllowVideoUploads {
+			if !allowsVids {
 				serverutil.ServeErrorPage(writer, gclog.Print(gclog.LAccessLog,
 					"Video uploading is not currently enabled for this board."))
 				os.Remove(filePath)